Advertise

Social Media

Budget analysis: William Watson, McGill University economist

The Parti Quebecois has tabled its first budget and it seems many people are unhappy with it.

The Liberal and CAQ parties oppose the proposed tax increases, while Quebec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir says the government should expand services instead of trying to balance the budget.

Economist William Watson of McGill University said Nicolas Marceau's first budget has some good aims, but he does not like the way it's been done.

"To their credit they have said, let's balance the budget. Good... But the way they're doing it to my taste is increasing taxes rather than cutting spending," said Watson.

He also, like every Montrealer CTV News has spoken too, objects to the blanket decision to cut infrastructure spending by $1.5 billion each year.

"I'd like to see a cost/benefit analysis, right? Each of these projects is going to cost a certain amount of money. Double that for the increases that take place and the mafia contribution, but what's the benefit? Right? That's how you should choose projects," said Watson.